Medical disclaimer
Please read this before acting on anything you find on this site.
General education only
The content of this website and of our weekly tips, including text, images, tables and links, is provided for general educational purposes. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and it is not a treatment plan. It has not been written with knowledge of your medical history, your skin, your allergies or the medicines you take.
No clinician–patient relationship
Reading our content, subscribing to our tips or emailing us does not create a relationship between you and a health professional. Volunteers who hold clinical qualifications are not acting as your clinician.
Always seek professional advice
Talk to a doctor, dermatologist, pharmacist or other qualified health professional about any question you have regarding a skin condition or any other medical matter. Never ignore professional advice, delay seeking it, or stop a prescribed treatment because of something you have read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately. Our page on when to see a dermatologist lists common warning signs.
Natural does not mean safe
Plant-based and naturally derived ingredients can cause allergic reactions, burns, sun sensitivity and interactions with medicines. Individual responses vary widely. Patch test new products, follow dilution guidance, and stop using anything that causes stinging, swelling, rash or worsening of your condition. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, children, and people with existing medical conditions should check with a professional before trying anything described on this site.
Evidence changes
We grade and cite the research behind our guides and update them regularly, but medical knowledge evolves and studies can be small, short or later contradicted. Our evidence labels describe our reading of the research at the date shown on each page; they are not a promise that something will work for you.
Products and endorsements
We do not endorse any practitioner or clinic. On this website, mention of an ingredient, concentration, type of treatment or product is descriptive, not a recommendation to buy it. Nothing we publish or send, on this website or in our tips, is a guarantee that something suits you; patch test and read the label as you would with anything else.
Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, The Pathway to Progress and its volunteers accept no liability for any loss, injury or damage arising from reliance on the information on this website or in our messages. See also our terms of use.